 Lewis University Canal and Regional History Collection |
The I&M Canal was 96 miles long, and included 15 locks, three dams and four
aqueducts. "The work was formally begun and the first shovel of dirt was
removed on July 4, 1836, but not much progress was made during that year.
Due to difficulties involved in the way of floods, lack of labor, etc., a
new survey was made and the report named a new figure of costs of construction
to be $13,253,857.15." ("Historical Data Illinois and Michigan Canal"
From the files of the Will County Historical Society, Quarterly Publication
Winter 1990 p.6)Updated March 1, 2000
duffy ingram